She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is quite a bit different than a lot of other MCU content. The series, created by Jessica Gao, is not quite so reverent toward the increasingly galactic-scale stakes of the franchise.
Tatiana Maslany’s Jessica Walters, also known as the titular She-Hulk, did not ask to get involved in the business of superpowers and fighting crime. She was accidentally infused with her gargantuan green alter-ego when she was infected with the blood of her cousin, Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner (the original Hulk MCU fans have known for years), following a car accident. As such, she is a touch less serious about her status as a hero.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Though there has been a lot of attention, both negative and positive, about the jokes in the new series, no one can argue that the show is proud to stand out as a unique MCU offering. The series’ creators were only restricted when making fun of the franchise itself. Over the course of only three episodes, it has provided viewers with countless classic moments. Jennifer Walters has all the dry wit of a talented attorney and the incredible strength of a gamma radiation-infused, muscle-bound monster to boot.
Here’s why She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’s humor works.
Superhero Shows Should Be Inherently Silly
Marvel Studios / Disney
Marvel titles have become rather dark in recent years. Of course, there are some exceptions. Under the direction of the talented Taika Waititi, who directed the two most recent installments in the Thor franchise, Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, the God of Thunder’s filmic offerings went from self-serious mythological explorations to colorful, wild comedies.
RELATED: She-Hulk Head Writer Jessica Gao Discusses Megan Thee Stallion’s Role in the Series
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law seems to draw upon the popularity of these films and pokes fun at the very idea of the superhero movie in the process, making constant reference to previous MCU projects. When Walters, in the show’s most recent episode, finds herself battling with the Wrecking Crew, she quickly dispatches them while practically rolling her eyes.
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when the MCU became so serious. Given the fact that every movie seems to have universal (or even multiversal) stakes, it makes sense. She-Hulk, however, suffers under no such delusions of grandeur, which allows the show to have a sillier tone that seems appropriate for a program based on a comic book.
She-Hulk Shatters the Fourth Wall
Marvel Studios
Outside of the cinematic offerings of the vulgar swordsman, Deadpool, very few MCU projects have seen characters breaking the fourth wall. She-Hulk constantly addresses the audience, which allows her to poke fun at inherently ridiculous situations and explain to audiences just how fed up she truly is with the superhero world.
Breaking the fourth wall is a difficult task to pull off successfully, but the show’s creatives seem more than capable of balancing on that thin line. Her asides always come at the perfect moment, keying viewers into valuable insights while still allowing them to immerse themselves in the episode.
For example, when the character explains to audiences that the program is still hers, despite the impending inclusion of the Sorcerer Supreme Wong (Benedict Wong), it establishes that the show will stay focused despite featuring MCU favorites. This will undoubtedly come in handy as the events of the series begin to unfold, and Walters finds herself further outside of her comfort zone.
Hilarious and Unexpected Cameos
Disney Platform Distribution
Perhaps the most obvious example of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’s humor came in the most recently released episode of the series, “The People vs. Emil Blonsky.” In the episode, Jessica Walters’ former coworker Dennis Bukowski, portrayed by Drew Matthews (Creepshow, Samaritan), sues a shape-shifting New Asgardian Light Elf over their fraudulent relationship, wherein she pretended to be the musical artist Megan thee Stallion.
When the case goes to trial, viewers were delighted to see the music star whooping her praises for the prosecutor’s clever arguments from the back of the courtroom. In a post-credit scene, She-Hulk and Megan thee Stallion meet in the attorney’s office and have a little dance party. The two drop it low, twerking to one of the Stallion’s hit songs, “Body.”
It’s difficult to imagine Iron Man shaking his booty while facing down Thanos, or Doctor Strange boogying while battling multiversal entities. But this is exactly why She-Hulk’s humor is unique and to be commended.
Haters aside, many MCU fans are clamoring for more ridiculous moments as She-Hulk: Attorney at Law continues its first season. Folks have been watching Marvel movies and television shows for over a decade now, so a bit of meta-commentary on the franchise itself is long-overdue and, frankly, refreshing. Undoubtedly, more fourth wall breaking and peculiar cameos are yet to come. She-Hulk will continue to smash MCU norms, and viewers will love to see it.
